Bolton 1
Anelka 50
Newcastle 3
N'Zogbia 11, Martins 21, Martins 27
Bolton 1 Newcastle 3 August 11 2007
Sam Allardyce could not have wished for a better start to life as Newcastle manager after a 3-1 Premier League victory at former club Bolton.
Newcastle took the lead in the 11th minute with a goal out of nothing. Charles N'Zogbia drove in a free-kick from the right that eluded the Bolton defence and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The visitors extended their lead in the 21st minute and again Bolton's defending was poor. James Milner's cross found Obafemi Martins at the back post and he beat Jaaskelainen with a superb overhead kick.
Martins made it 3-0 with his second goal of the game. He had a bit of luck, however, his shot from 20 yards taking a deflection off defender Abdoulaye Faye.
Bolton pulled a goal back in the 50th minute through Nicolas Anelka after a superb reverse pass from Kevin Nolan, but there was no way back for Bolton.